Here is the link for the prelims and finals scores for the Area 'A' marching contest. Please to note the wild differences in the prelims ordinals. I can't recall ever seeing such disparity in judges ordinals. The first three scores are music captions, the last two are marching. 4 judges changed captions between prelims and finals; one judge stayed on the music caption, but I do not know the judge assignments.

The positive in this crazy scoring? Well, just goes to show you that basically everyone has a chance. Good bands will be rewarded by someone if you are presenting a good show. Keep in mind, band judging is subjective, and this is why there is a panel of judges instead of just one guy making the decisions. But still, lots to talk about! Here's the link:

There are lots of great upcoming events out at UTEP, courtesy of the Music Department. Put these on your calendar! From Curtis Tredway comes the following:

The University Chorale will entertain El Paso residents with their first concert of the season on Monday, Oct 29. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Come here the finest young singers in the region. Tickets available at the University Ticket Center and at the door.

On Saturday, November 3, the UTEP Faculty Artist Series will present Oscar Macchioni, piano, and Mark Schuppener, violin, performing Iberian and Latin-American duets. the conert starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, and includes program includes beautiful music by Turina, Guastavino, Ugarte, Piazzolla, Bolcom and more.

On Sunday, November 4, another event in the Faculty Artist Series will take place. Steve Haddad, low brass instructor, will present a program called "New American Music for Tuba by Women Composers" at 3:00 p.m., again in the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall.

From the press release "American women composers have been very active in producing a wonderful new body of literature for tuba. This recital will feature new music by American Women composers: "Concerto for Tuba and Piano–Wars and Rumors of War" by Barabara York, "Arcus IX" by Julie Giroux, and "Concertpiece" by Libby Larsen. Quintessential Brass will also be featured in a performance of new brass quintet music."

On Tuesday, November 6, the Symphony Orchestra will eprform in concert. The program starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Ms. Nancy Taylor, Trumpet Professor and Senior Lecturer in Music at UTEP, will be the featured guest artist with the Orchestra. She will be performing the 'Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra' by Hummel. Additionally, the concert will present music of von Suppe, Sibelius and Vaughan Williams.

On Wednesday, November 7, the Wind Symphony will perform their yearly ' Composer Concert'. The group has been recording music for Mark Masters for many years now, each time by a well-known band composer. The composer come to UTEP for the recording sessions to give input and also visit with the faculty and students in the music program.

This year, the recordings and concert will feature the music of the very well-known composer James Barnes. As has become the tradition of the "composer concert," Dr. Barnes will be in attendance at the concert and will discuss his works with the audience.

And finally, something I believe is brand new out at UTEP. The UTEP Piano department is holding a Piano Competition over 2 days–Friday, Nov 9, from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Nov 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Fox Fine Arts Room 340.

From the press release "The University of Texas at El Paso Department of Music is pleased to announce its 2012 UTEP Piano Competition. The purpose of this event is to give all entering pianists the opportunity to perform in a competitive setting and to receive awards to be used for educational and career advancements in classical music. The UTEPPC recognizes a living composer by including his/her work in the repertoire’s requirements. The 2012 competition celebrates Dennis Alexander. All activities are free and open to the public and more information is available at: uteppianocompetition.utep.edu.

Although we sent 10 bands to the Area round of contests, only one advanced any further. Congratulations to the Coronado Band, who DID qualify for the State marching contest. Up in Lubbock at the 3-A event, Mountain View advanced to finals, but did not place.

Here are a few statistics for people who are interested–

In class 3-A statewide, there were 114 bands that advanced to various Area contests. 19 advanced to State.

In class 5-A statewide, there were 203 bands that advanced to Area, with a total of 38 advancing to State.

Some Area contests had as many as 42 5-A bands in prelims, with 8 out of 10 finalists advancing to State. I expect some shifting of the Areas again soon to attempt to equalize some of these numbers. In comparison, only 23 5-A bands– every single one in our geographic area– were at the Area 'A' contest.

The State Marching Contest will be held over two days, the 5th and 6th of November. 3-As go on Monday, 5-As on Tuesday. Should be a great time. Before that, we still have the NMSU Tournament of Bands to look forward to on November 3. I'll put the schedule up in a few days!

Congratulations to the Coronado Thunderbird Band, who will represent El Paso at the State Marching Band Contest November 6 in San Antonio! Coronado is one of 3 El Paso Bands who advanced to the finals at the Area contest in Odessa, but was the only one to finish in the top 4 and advance further.